DoW Vision, Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Agency: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
Assistance Listings: 12.420 -- Military Medical Research and Development
Description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports basic through early translational research that will yield highly impactful discoveries or major advancements in the research and/or patient care of eye injury and/or visual dysfunction related to military exposure. The IIRA may be used to support preclinical studies and/or clinical research. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas. The IIRA cannot be used to support clinical trials.
...Distinctive Features:
· The IIRA offers two Funding Levels to support research at different stages and the exploration/development of ideas of different maturity levels.
· Funding Level 2 includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI.
· Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, and Personnel.
· Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the IIRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact, and relevance to military health.
· The VRP may share FY26 IIRA applications and reviews with the National Eye Institute (NEI) for independent funding consideration.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Unrestricted
Additional information
Grantor contact information
Description
eBRAP Help Desk
Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| FY2026_VRP_PA_Reference_Table_Final.pdf | FY26 VRP PA Reference Table | May 5, 2026 02:12 PM UTC |
| HT942526VRPIIRA_GG.pdf | FY26 VRP IIRA Program Announcement | May 6, 2026 12:27 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
--
Closing: November 12, 2026
Award
$4,400,000
Program Funding
5
Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$--
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
HT942526VRPIIRA
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
Category of Funding Activity:
Science technology and other research and development
Category Explanation:
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
May 5, 2026
Archive date:
December 12, 2026
